Manchester United have a £40 million problem in the form of Donny van de Beek.The club spent big on the midfielder from Ajax this summer but he’s yet to start in the Premier League this season.During Saturday evening’s drab 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford, Van de Beek was an unused substitute.Sitting alongside Van de Beek on the bench was Paul Pogba - an £89 million problem.United’s last two Premier League games has seen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer use a midfield pivot of Fred and Scott McTominay to provide his side more stability.On Monday night, Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville discussed at length whether Bruno Fernandes and Pogba can work together in a United midfield.Carragher suggested they couldn’t, saying: "I said it a few weeks ago, after the Crystal Palace game, Fernandes and Pogba can't play together. They are not a midfield and never will be.”
However, Neville was more positive believing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can look at Manchester City as inspiration.
"For me, I've never understood why Ole hasn't tried - and maybe he's looked at it in training and hasn't liked it - one sitter with Pogba and Fernandes in front, like Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva at Manchester City,” Neville said.
But what about Van de Beek?
It seems we’re a long way away from seeing Pogba, Fernandes AND Van de Beek all start a match together.
But GIVEMESPORT have looked at FIVE ways they could potentially line-up with arguably their three best midfielders in the very same XI.
OPTION ONE - 4-3-3
As Neville was saying, he’d like to see a sitter - Scott McTominay - with Pogba and Fernandes in front of him. Van de Beek and Martial would then operate the wings either side of Rashford. McTominay would have a tough job on his hands defensively and it’s certainly not a line-up you’d use against strong opposition. In truth, none of these line-ups containing Pogba, Fernandes and Van de Beek should be used against strong opponents…
OPTION TWO - 4-2-3-1
With a midfield pivot of McTominay and Nemanja Matic, United would have a more solid base. Matic could always be replaced by Fred, like Solskjaer has opted for in recent weeks. Fernandes would then play in the advanced midfield role with Pogba and Van de Beek more attacking, supporting Rashford. There would be no room for Martial in this line-up.
OPTION THREE - 4-3-1-2
Similar to the first line-up, McTominay would be the sitter with Van de Beer and Fernandes playing ahead of him. Pogba would be given the No.10 role with Martial and Rashford operating as a front-two.
OPTION FOUR - 5-3-2
Like he did against Paris Saint-Germain, Solskjaer could play a back-five with Axel Tuanzebe coming in and Alex Telles and Aaron Wan-Bissaka playing as wingbacks. A midfield three of Pogba, Fernandes and Van de Beek probably doesn’t offer too much defensively, hence the need for an extra centre-back. Again, Rashford and Martial would be a striking duo.
OPTION FIVE - 4-3-3
Another 4-3-3 formation but giving Pogba the license to operate on the left-wing. This would relieve him of many defensive duties with McTominay, Van de Beek and Fernandes in a midfield three. Rashford would switch to the right with Martial the centre forward.